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Presentation Folder Design Guide

Last updated on November 22nd, 2023 at 01:14 pm

The Importance of Presentation Folder Design

In the professional landscape, a presentation folder is more than a document holder — it’s a branding powerhouse. 

With a creative design, presentation folders can make a great first impression, which is crucial in how your brand is perceived. Whether meeting potential clients, investors, or associates, a meticulously designed folder speaks volumes about your company’s professionalism and attention to detail.

Presentation folder examples abound, but what sets yours apart? It’s the tangible quality that digital methods can’t replicate. A well-crafted folder is a functional, new marketing asset. It continues to promote your company whenever viewed, subtly reinforcing brand recognition and loyalty.

Customization is key. Your folder can tell your brand’s story through its creative elements. 

This is where presentation folder printing services come into play, allowing for high-quality materials, vibrant colors, and precise finishes. These small details can distinguish your brand in a competitive market.

Moreover, the design process doesn’t have to be complex. With easy-to-use tools and templates, you can create compelling pocket folder designs that resonate with your audience and convey your company’s values and identity.

Investing in your presentation folder’s design is not just prudent; it’s essential. As a tangible extension of your brand, it communicates your commitment to excellence and leaves a lasting impression. With this understanding, let’s explore the basics of crafting a memorable presentation folder.

Know The Basics

Sometimes designing for a specific product, like presentation folders, might seem intimidating compared to a simple color copy or business card. But when you break it down to the basics, you will see it’s simple to design a folder!

The initial setup for your presentation folder file should start like any other product that you are designing for print. Open a fresh file in whichever program you feel the most comfortable designing in to start your professional print presentation folders. We recommend designing in InDesign because of the advanced color management and the flexibility of control of your presentation folder design. Verify that the color profile is set for CMYK .

*Pro tip: Printivity offers Pantone color matching and hard copy proofs upon request for color-critical orders.

All images and visual content should be designed at 300 DPI for high-quality folder printing. If content is designed under 300 DPI it runs the risk of being blurry and/or pixelated.

The Right Dimensions

9”x12” is the standard dimension of presentation folders in order to neatly fit letter size sheets in the 4” pockets. Adding pockets is a traditional option for folders, and you can choose to have them on the right side, left side, or both sides.

For the sake of this article, we will use the full bleed dimensions for a folder with both pockets, 16.25” x 18.25”. You will need to extend the background of your design an additional .125” on each side for the full bleed effect. In addition to adding full bleed , please be aware of the folder safety margin, which is the additional .125” from the final “cut line” that starts at 16”x18”. It is important to accommodate for the safety margin in order to avoid the risk of important content from getting cut.

Designing Page 1

Now let’s take a couple steps back. A presentation folder with pockets is printed on a single sheet of paper, folded, and glued for the finished product. Because of this, page 1 of your file will include the outside front and back cover as well as the outside of both pockets. The covers are the top 12” of the file, with the right side being the front cover and the left side being the back cover. The bottom 4” will be the pockets. We’ll get into more details about designing for the folder pockets later on in the article.

Designing Page 2

If you are planning on ordering single-sided printing and you want the interior of the presentation folder to be white, you can skip this section and go straight to pockets! However, if you want to utilize all printing space for branding and advertising, we recommend taking advantage of double-sided printing. This modern approach ensures you have more room for promotional content and keeps your brand at the forefront.

Due to the pockets at the bottom, the top 8” of the folder’s design will be the most visible. It is still recommended to extend your presentation folder design to cover the full sheet for a cohesive look.

When choosing what to include in the design of the interior of the folder, remember that this part of the design will be covered by your brochures, flyers , and other marketing materials. Choose content that emphasizes your brand, separates you from competitors, and leaves a lasting impression. This is a perfect opportunity to incorporate your logo and other key elements of the company identity.

Take Advantage of Printed Pockets

Adding pockets to your custom presentation folders gives you more opportunity to reach your customers. The pockets will be the most visible content when your folder is open, so be sure to include eye-catching images and branding.

Setting up the design for the pockets is the most unique part of designing presentation folders. As previously stated, the pockets will be printed on the same side of the sheet as the outside covers. In order to keep your design in the correct orientation, you will need to flip the pocket design upside down. Also remember that the left pocket will need to be designed on the right side (front cover) of the folder.

Other unique features of the presentation folders pockets are the center die cut and the optional business card slits. Be aware that pocket folders require a diagonal die at the center fold that could cut up to .625” at the farthest point on each side. The best practice would be to keep all important text and content away from this cut line.

Business Card Slots

When your presentation folders include pockets, take advantage of the opportunity to give a customer a small piece of you and your brand to be remembered by. When including business cards in your folder, it comes with numerous options for the orientation and number of slits that hold the card. Business cards are not automatically included, so remember to order custom business cards in your presentation pocket folder order!

You will need to make this decision before completing your presentation folder design, otherwise you run the risk of covering your design. The business card slits will be located in the center of the pocket and approximately 4” long. Horizontal slits are 2.5” in from the center fold and outside cut line, 1” from the top of the pocket, and .75” from the bottom of the pocket. Vertical  slits are 3.25” from the outside cutline and 3.5” from the center fold, and .25” from the top and bottom of the pockets.

Save as PDF-X1a

If you have designed your pocket folder file in Photoshop or Illustrator , you are able to save your file as a PDF-X1a, which is the preferred file format to be submitted to Printivity. Once you have completed your design, go to “File” in the left-hand corner and click “Save As” in the drop down. Change the format to “Adobe PDF” in Illustrator or “Photoshop PDF” in Photoshop in the format field at the bottom, then click “Save”. Another pop-up will appear. In the “General” section update the “Adobe PDF Preset” to “High Quality Print Modified”. Under that, you will need to update the “standard” to “PDF/X-1a”. Before saving, make sure that the compression is set at “Do Not Downsample” in order to maintain high resolution. Once you press “Save PDF” you are done!

If you are unable to save as a PDF-X1a, Printivity also accepts PDF, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign files.

Other Quick Tips For Custom Presentation Folders

Enhancing the utility and attractiveness of your custom presentation folders goes beyond the initial design and print. After all, you’re not just ordering a utility item; you’re investing in a powerful component of your company’s branding. Here are more advanced tips to ensure your folders are not just functional but also aesthetically appealing and memorable:

Select the Right Material: The material of your folder can make a significant difference. A thicker, heavier stock exudes quality and professionalism. Printivity offers a variety of paper stocks, ranging from eco-friendly options to premium, heavy-duty materials that enhance durability and the perceived value of the folder’s contents.

Maintain Color Consistency: When ordering folders, especially in bulk, ensure color consistency across the batch. This maintains a uniform brand image. Printivity utilizes advanced color-matching technology to ensure your hues are consistent and true to your brand.

Choose an Appropriate Finish: While glossy finishes add a bright sheen, there might be better choices for environments with intense light due to glare. Matte finishes, on the other hand, offer a more subdued, sophisticated look and feel, which is perfect for high-end brands or formal events.

Embrace Sustainability: If your company values environmental responsibility, communicate this through your print materials. Opt for recycled or sustainably sourced paper.

Add a Touch of Luxury: Once you have completed the layout and presentation folder design, you are ready to place your order! To add a luxury look to your custom folders, we recommend choosing any of our coating options. Printivity offers two types of gloss coating: UV Coating and Gloss Lamination. Both options add a shiny finish, enhance the colors of your design, and protect your prints from normal wear and tear.

UV Coating is only able to be applied to the outside of the pocket folders regardless of single or double-sided folder printing. While Gloss Lamination would be applied to each side of the folders that have been printed on. For a more soft and dull appearance, we offer Matte Lamination that will be applied to each folder side that printing was ordered.

Download folder templates directly from Printivity.com before you start designing. Once you’re ready to order, or have questions during the ordering process, contact our expert customer service department at 1-877-649-5463.

Don’t have time to design your presentation folder? Printivity has you covered! We offer graphic design services to help you get your designs ready and printed quickly!

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Top 21 presentation folder templates

Create presentation folders in a snap with these high-quality templates.

We'd all love spending time lovingly crafting the perfect design. But sometimes you just need a quick fix. Templates save you time and make designing and displaying print artwork significantly less of a hassle. Here we've assembled 21 of the best folder templates available for download today.

These include design templates (01-12), which give you a jumping-off point from which to quickly create folder artwork, as well as mockup templates (13-21), which you can use to turn your flat folder design into a photorealistic image of the finished product.

01. Shipping Container template

• Price : Free
• Format : PSD

Both the outside and inside of this wide folder design template are designed to look like an industrial shipping container. It's an inventive look and an obvious choice for logistics companies or anyone in the business of shipping goods.

02. Green Eco-Friendly Presentation Folder Design Template

• Format : AI

Designed for ecologically-minded businesses of all types, this free folder template features organic vector artwork of a verdant tree.

03. Vertmedia Corporate Presentation Folder

• Format : EPS, AI

A system of green and grey vector images adorns this professional folder template. There are also bits of sample text that you can easily replace with your own contact information, brand identity, and other details.

04. Blue Diamond Logistics Corporate Folder Template

This presentation folder's logo features two interlocking shapes with a metallic shine, framing full colour photography, again relevant to a logistics/transportation company.

05. Neolife Presentation Folder

This leafy folder design seems to have been created with a horticulture or crop engineering business in mind, but with a few alterations, it could easily work for any company with a natural or eco-friendly image.

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06. Corporate Folder with Die-Cut Design (Squares)

• Price : Subscription Required/Prices Vary
• Format : EPS

A modern design consisting of a mosaic of blue, pink and white squares. This folder's pattern resembles a series of computer pixels, so it's fitting for a business related to technology.

07. Grenne (Green)

• Price : $14 (bundle)

A verdant, lush green design. Green is often associated with health and security, making this folder especially suitable for an organization related to health care, money or information technology.

08. Prissne

The geometric pattern in this folder design makes it ideal for industrial businesses, though it's broad enough to fit a variety of different fields. An eye-catching orange band stands out against the dark background, so it's the perfect area to place a company name or logo.

09. Serenne

Save this folder design template for a rainy day! The watery blue color scheme and umbrella logo give this design a calm, optimistic feel.

10. Simplyfly

Naturally, this folder design template has a simple, no-nonsense look without much razzle-dazzle apart from a small paper clip graphic in the corner – great for corporate offices with a sensible, straightforward image.

11. Corporate Folder Design

• Price : $6.00

A combination of bold primary colors and simple geometric shapes makes this design stand out in a crowd. There's also a fair amount of room for you to add your own elements, such as logos, photos or text.

12. File Folder/Document Folder Mockup

A set of five unique mockups with realistic props, including a pen and a pair of glasses.

13. File Folder/Document Folder Mockup Vol. 2

Four photorealistic mockups with four paper textures to choose from, along with a fully customizable background.

14. Album Cover CD Folder Mockups

The CD folder in this mockup seems designed to package music, but it can be used to display designs for practically any sort of disc packaging.

15. Low Angle Folder Mockup Template

Provides a view of your design from a lower angle, similar to the view someone will get if they see the presentation folder lying on a surface in front of them.

16. Brochure Folder Sheets Mockup

With this set of mockup templates, you get eight different views of a folder with curved pockets and A4 sheets inside.

17. A4 Document Folder Mockup

A high-res mockup template for showing off an A4 document folder design, providing a view of the front, back, and inside all at once.

18. Stacked Presentation Folders Mockup Template

Apply your folder design to this mockup template to see multiple copies of it fanned out on a flat surface.

19. Corporate File Folder Mockups Vol_1.2

Use the smart objects in this mockup template to add your own folder and business card design, as well as the sheets that go inside. Comes with 8 unique PSD files.

20. Back Cover Folder Mockup Template

Give your audience a clear and straightforward view of your presentation folder's interior with this easy-to-use mockup template.

21. DOA Pocket Folder Mockup Set

Create an awesome-looking mockup for a one-pocket folder from four different angles. It also comes with a matching folder die-cut template.

Know of more folder design or mockup templates to help make designers' jobs easier? Please share them in the comments below!

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Your Comprehensive Guide to Presentation Folders

Presentation folders are like wrapping paper for the ideas that you want to present. What’s inside the folder won’t be seen until the right moment, so the outside has to grab the recipient’s attention and keep them excited for what’s in store.

Do you want to present your company’s important ideas and information in an attractive package, or do you want to be the one at the party with the gift wrapped in newspaper? Our complete guide to presentation folders will help you to learn how to expertly design folders and use them to make an impact.

Design Ideas and Inspiration:

4 Elements Of Effective Presentation Folder Design – Create a professional look every time with these four easy-to-understand design principles.

16 Amazing Presentation Folder Ideas – Find inspiration for your own marketing materials from this collection of interesting and unique presentation folder designs.

9 Common Presentation Folder Design Mistakes – Avoid a busy or boring folder design by learning to recognize these signs of a clunky pocket folder design.

How To Give Your Folder A Color Background That “Pops” – If you want a color background, you probably don’t want a colored stock. Find out why with this guide to utilizing color in the background of your folder.

6 Awesome Paper and Linen Stocks for Your Presentation Folders – Different stocks have very different effects on the look and texture of your folder. Discover the difference between gloss, felt, vellum and more.

Design Resources:

50+ Folder Design Templates – An excellent repository of free, print-ready folder design templates for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

17 Folder Mockup PSD Templates – Download these free PSD templates to turn your folder designs into realistic mockups that let you demonstrate what your design will look like once it’s printed and folded into shape.

Folder Design Cheat Sheet – A two-part series consisting of Important Folder Tips and a Print Ready Checklist to help you design and prepare your artwork for printing.

Folder Design Services – For an original design or enhancement of an existing design, CF’s graphic artists ensure that it will look great in print.

Basics and Essentials:

The Ultimate Guide to Presentation Folder Styles – Learn the difference between a pocket folder, tri-fold folder, belly band presentation package and more in this in-depth look into folder styles and types.

The Difference Between One and Two Sided Folder Printing – It’s not as simple as you might think. This article will help you know exactly what to ask for when placing an order.

All About Coating Finishes for Your Presentation Folders – A complete look at the benefits of using different coatings and finishes, from protective to design considerations.

How to Save the Earth with Recycled Presentation Folders – A guide for eco-friendly businesses on what qualities to look for in a green folder, including what type of stocks and inks you should use.

Add-Ons and Special Features:

4 Indispensable Tips for Designing Embossed Presentation Folders – People sometimes misunderstand what embossing actually is. Learn the terminology of embossed designs and techniques for ensuring that your folder looks its best.

5 Dazzling Die Cut Designs for Presentation Folders – A guide to the different customization options that die cutting brings to the table, from windows to unique openings and pocket shapes.

6 Designer Folder Accessories and Add-Ons – Sometimes all it takes is a little something extra. Take a look at the different accessories that give your folder added impact, like stepped inserts and spine attachments.

4 Foil Stamp Options That Make Your Folders Look Fancy – Learn how to give your folder some sparkle or just a dramatic accent with metallic, clear or other foil options.

The Complete Guide to Custom Presentation Folders – A handy roadmap to help make you a more informed consumer of presentation folders, this guide goes more in-depth than Your Comprehensive Guide to Presentation Folders.

Printing Recommendation:

Presentation Folder Printing – Select from over 100 styles of custom printed folders starting as low as 19¢ each, including free shipping and a lifetime warranty. Each is fully customizable with a variety of stocks, coatings, foils, imprint methods and more.

Earn a 20% Discount by Becoming a Reseller – If you’re in the printing or graphic design field, you can get 20% off when providing quality marketing materials to your clients.

Consider these links your first semester of “Presentation Folders 101”– by no means do they represent the full extent of knowledge available to you. If you’re serious about creating dynamic marketing collateral, check out your local library for books on design elements or consider taking a design course online.

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17 Ways to Customize a Presentation Folder Design

Vladimir Gendelman has been designing inspirational presentation folders for business clients for nearly a decade and offers a plethora of unique cuts at his online folder emporium, CompanyFolders . He is a master of clever printing techniques and this is a guest blog post on the many ways to customize a presentation folder design.

Enter Vladimir

There’s a common misconception that designing for digital media is no different from designing for print media, and that knowing how to design graphics for a website is basically the same as creating a presentation folder. While it’s true that the basic tenets of design are universal no matter the medium, there are still special considerations you need to take into account when designing for print – mainly due to the fact that you are creating a physical object.

That means not only do your presentation folder designs have to look good, they have to create a sensory experience when they’re physically touched. Folder designs also need to be functional so that people can properly interact with it. Since there are many things you can accomplish with print that you can’t accomplish on a computer screen, there are more possibilities available to you when customizing a presentation folder.

1. Custom die-cut pockets and panels

Custom die-cuts let you alter the entire shape of the folder, essentially changing the canvas to your liking, so to speak. Not only are unique die-cut designs fun to look at and interact with, they let you fully customize the folder design to match the contents inside or establish a brand identity.

The texture of printed materials is very important and custom die cutting gives you the tools to manipulate the way your folder feels. In a pile of papers and other printed materials, you can always find the one that has a custom die-cut design using touch alone.

There are a variety of interesting design ideas to apply to your custom die cuts. For example, the folder panels and pockets can be shaped to highlight a strong design element, such as a logo. If you’re looking for something a little more playful, use die cuts shapes that have relevance to your brand identity, such as a car-shaped pocket for an auto dealer.

2. Media slits

Die cut media slits give you the ability to easily display and store business cards, brochures, CDs and other items directly on top of the pocket, instead of inside the pocket itself. This not only ensures that these media items will be out in the open for people to see, but that they won’t be lost in the shuffle.

Many printers include shaped media slits as a standard feature on their folder templates. However, these are usually just your standard tab or corner-style slits. With custom die-cuts, your business card slits can be cut into any reasonable size or shape. Find more information on slits here .

3. Die-cut windows

Since folders open like a book, we naturally think of the front panel as the “cover” while the inside panels are the “content.” A die-cut window can allow you to display this content directly from the cover by offering a sneak peek of what’s inside. This tantalizes people and makes them eager to flip open the folder to see what lies within.

Die cut windows can be any shape, allowing you to conform to the shape of the design element you want to highlight. Alternatively, you can let the window itself be the design – cutting a design into the front and having a color or pattern behind it.

4. Stock thickness

Stock thickness or weight can affect the way your audience perceives your design, even if it’s not directly part of the design itself. You know how cheap items can feel flimsy and poorly made? It’s the same thing for stock thickness. Thicker, heavier stock has a higher quality feel, reflecting well on both your design and the brand it represents, but thinner stock has the opposite effect.

5. Stock texture

Stocks come in a variety of texture – even some that mimic other materials, such as vellum and linen. These textures make your folder have a unique feel, but they can alter the look of your printed designs, so using them can limit your options.

On the other hand, uniquely textured stock leaves a lasting impression on your audience because it feels new and unfamiliar, which creates a stronger sense memory. Textured stock is also a good option for embossing, which adds even more touch sensation to your design. There’s more than a few great stock options available for presentation folders, here are some examples .

6. Stock color

Stocks come in a variety of colors, but the color of your stock can alter the appearance of your printed elements. Some designers embrace this quality and use colored stock to play with different color combinations, creating new effects when the ink is applied to the colored stock. It’s also possible to print on colored stock by using a layer of white ink first; but there will still be some loss of color quality.

Designers usually print a colored background instead of relying on colored stock, but colored stock has an advantage in the fact that the color goes all the way through the paper. If you use white stock to print a colored background, that white stock will be visible along the edge of every cut.

7. Embossing

The embossing process creates a textured impression on the stock that is raised off the page, just like the seal on an official document. Embossed elements are as irresistible as bubble wrap – they practically beg to be touched. Think of embossing as bait you can use to ensure that the audience makes a tactile connection to your design.

Embossing is the most compatible design option because it can be combined with nearly any other imprint method to create distinctive raised design elements. You can make printed pictures pop off the page or create the illusion of real metal by combining it with foil stamping. Blind embossing is when you use embossing alone to create your design, which gives your folder an elegant, sophisticated look.

8. Debossing

Debossing is like the identical twin cousin of embossing – it’s the same process, but in reverse. Instead of the imprint popping out at you, it’s depressed directly into the page. This creates a similar effect to embossing, but debossing has a unique quality that sort of pulls the audience into the design itself. For maximum variety in texture, use a combination of both techniques.

9. Metallic foil stamping

Metallic foil is a reflective material that mimics the appearance of metal. Metallic foil stamping is often paired with dark stock or colored stock to make the foil really stand out. This technique used by itself can be subtle and elegent, or you can go for big bold designs by pairing it with other imprint methods.

Since the foil is a different material than the stock, it adds a smooth texture to your folder. When combined with embossing, the two effects create a realistic metallic look that also feels somewhat like metal that’s been affixed to the page.

10. Non-metallic foil stamping

Non-metallic foil stamping uses the same process and provides a lot of the same benefits as metallic foil, such as a compatibility with colored stocks and embossed designs. There are several different types of non-metallic foils, such as colored foils that resemble vinyl or special effect foils that have holographic or three-dimensional properties.

11. Metallic ink

Metallic ink represents the middle ground between printing in ink and using metallic foil. The shiny effect comes from actual metal shavings mixed into the ink. This creates a subtle effect that is less flashy and a bit more diverse than metallic foil.

Metallic ink still acts primarily like normal ink, so you’re able to create more detailed imagery than what’s available to you with foil stamping. It’s also better for small details, since it doesn’t require adhesion like foil. This technique is capable of producing a greater variety of tones since it can be applied in multiple layers.

12. Textured coatings

Coating not only adds protection to your folder, it can add texture to your design. Aqueous coating comes in a wide variety of styles and will protect against weathering, bleaching and general wear and tear.

Laminate and matte coatings are both smooth, but laminate also has a shiny effect while matte is static. Soft-touch coating creates a feeling that is reminiscent of velvet, which guarantees a tactile connection with your media. Vinyl coating has a texture like satin, which is silky and pleasing to the touch.

13. UV coatings

UV coating helps make your colored print designs look brighter and pop off the page, especially designs that use color photography. In fact, it’s best to think of UV coating like the coating of a glossy photograph – it offers some minimal protection for the folder, but is only available in a smooth texture. Therefore, UV coating is more about making your design look its best instead of getting the audience to interact with the folder.

14. Spot coating

Different coatings can be applied to the same design, allowing you to create textural variety in your folder. You could choose to make your logo or other important design element in a highly-textural coating while making the rest of your folder smooth. The audience’s fingers will gravitate towards the different texture, creating a stronger connection to that element.

15. Spot printing

There are two standard ink printing options for folders, 4-color process and PMS ink. 4-color process is similar to what your computer printer uses – it creates colors from cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) tones. Meanwhile, PMS inks are pre-mixed, which ensures that the colors are always accurate.

4-color process is usually the standard for designs that use more than two or three colors. However, much like spot coating, you can also spot print with PMS ink, letting you have a larger variety of colors to work with than what’s normally available with just 4-color process. This lets you correct color inaccuracies, use precise branding colors or add metallic ink effects to any 4-color design. Check out these tips for designing for 4CP.

16. Spine attachments

Custom spine attachments let you utilize your folder like the cover to a book. These can be used to bind your materials into the folder itself instead of using pockets. You can also opt to use the spine to attach additional materials such as a stitched brochure. Attachments not only make your information more easily accessible, they put it front and center and make it the star of the folder’s interior.

17. Folder accessories

A presentation folder is a great tool for making an impact, but it can only do so much on its own. You require additional folder accessories to create a full presentation packet and it’s best to design all of these contents at once to establish a consistent brand image. Likewise, having one printer who can create all of your materials at once lets you save time and money. At CompanyFolders, we carry six accessories to choose from.

The most popular accessory is folder inserts, which help you create an attractive package by displaying your leading points on stacked, cascading information pages. These not only look nice, they make it easier for recipients to find what they’re looking for.

If you plan mailing your folder, pair it with a portfolio sleeve. These are specially designed for folders and can be created using many of the same special print options available for folders, allowing you to maintain a consistent design scheme.

Your best bet for an alluring presentation folder is to have a strong relationship with your printer. They can tell you what type of special options are available and how to best use them to make your folder design truly unique.

Do you have any question on designing presentation folders? Is there something you need more information about? Let us know in the comments!

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Business quips, branding tips, and marketing case studies brought to you by the team at EasyPocketFolders.com

How to design presentation folders: 5 practical tips for your custom branded folders

Want to skip to a particular presentation folder design tip? Follow these quick links for pocket folder design tips:

• Use just your logo.
• Don’t use stock photos.
• Information is great. Too much information is harmful.
• Use the colors you want to use for your brand.
• Keep your branding consistent.

Want to buy custom folders for your business? That’s great; pocket folders can play an integral role in your business’ branding and marketing strategies .

But if you’ve never designed folders before, there might be that one nagging thought in your mind: how to design presentation folders that convey your branding.

We’ve been helping business owners and organization leaders design custom presentation folders since 2009, so we have a lot of experience helping people create the pocket folder design they envision.

Need some help with your branded folder design? Read these four practical tips—and real-use scenarios—on how to design presentation folders.

But first, a word of advice: Don’t be afraid to be an anomaly in your marketplace.

This requires a little research, but find out what everyone else in your niche is doing with their visual branding and… don’t follow suit.

Have you ever opened your mailbox to find a dentist flyer that looks something like one of these?

Kind of boring, right? Let’s look at what you could do to stand out from these designs.

1. Use just your logo.

Believe it or not, this is the most popular folder design layout for businesses, churches , realtors, and non-profits .

Ever feel like trying to get noticed by your target audience is like trying to yell at someone on the other side of Solider Field? Apologies if you’re not a Chicago Bears fan. Branding design can often feel like that.

We see a lot of marketing folders that are jam-packed with visual branding, images, and information; the folders were designed to fit as much as possible into the space available.

Truth be told, they’re kind of an eyesore.

The ones that often stand out among the pile of marketing flyers, branded folders, and promotional materials is the one that use just the logo—and not much else. They are the ones that use white space to let their branding “breathe.”

2. Don’t use stock photos.

Realistically, your target audience won’t care if you just use photos that you took on your phone. If you want to increase consumer confidence through design, use authentic, real photos. This could be pictures of the business founders, company staff, or your product or service in action.

This folder we made for CrossFit Max Effort (they designed it; Style XZ Mini Folder ) is the perfect example of using pictures in a presentation folder design. This is a real, genuine, authentic photo of their customers—and it shows what their service can do for you.

3. Information is great. Too much information is harmful.

We see a lot of folder designs that include juuust enough information about the product or service to intrigue the end-user. These types of designs are great for two main reasons:

• Small bits of information don’t clutter up the visual design. If you are designing a letter-sized pocket folder, don’t fill the entire 9″ x 12″ back cover with text. As much as you might want to share your full story with them, save it for brochures or pamphlets inside the folder, or add a custom URL to direct them to your website.
• Less is more… intriguing. Minimalism is a popular trend , and it stretches further than just a minimalist lifestyle. Less stuff in a pocket folder design  gives consumers more time to really think about your message . Just like leaving white space around your logo is important, white space around informational bits let the user focus more intently in the message you are trying to convey.

Not sure what kind of business info to include in your presentation folder design? Choose one or two subjects from this list, and keep it to under three sentences or five bullet points.

• List of services
• Company history
• Customer testimonials or success stories
• Organization mission
• What your product or service can do for the consumer
• Business or product reviews
• Statistics–present in graphs or charts for better visual appeal

4. Use the colors you want to use for your brand.

If you are a dentist office manager, and you’ve already established that your brand color palette is centered around the color blue, that’s fine. But if you want purple and gold, go for it.

There’s no governing brand council that says you must abide by what’s popular or standard in your niche. Though there is evidence that color affects emotions and consumer buying habits , you can safely take that advice with a grain of salt.

5. Above all, keep your branding consistent.

We’re going to go a little off-topic for a bit here. Bear with us; there is a good point being made here:

Take a look at your wardrobe. We’re willing to bet that—while your closet might not be quite as monotonous as  Mark Zuckerberg’s —your clothes look visually similar or give off the same “vibe.”

If your wardrobe is full of bright neon t-shirts and ripped jeans, and that’s all you wore everyday, people would know how to find you. If, however, one day you wore an earthy, forest green button up shirt with khakis, one of two things could happen:

• People would be looking for the neon-clad you. Not seeing the neon, they completely look over you, since you are dressed in different attire.
• People would be looking for the neon-clad-you. If there isn’t too much other visual “noise” around, they could still see you, despite the wardrobe change. But you’re making them work harder to find you, since you are not dressed as they expect you to be dressed.

In both of these scenarios, what you’re doing is throwing off their perception of you. Inconsistent visual branding is very similar to this wardrobe snafu.

You might find yourself asking: is it bad to shake things up every now and then? No, not always. In fact, sometimes a little visual branding shakeup can be a good thing, to make sure your audience is still paying attention to you.

When it comes to designing custom presentation folders, brand consistency is key .

Pocket folders are often either part of the first impression, or they’re part of the sales-clinching toolkit. These can be pivotal points in the sales process, so it’s best to present your visual branding as usual.

Visual brand consistency is important because consumers shouldn’t have to work that hard to see your brand’s image or hear your message.

Read more presentation folder design tips

Still a little unsure on how to design presentation folders? We’ve compiled a big list of pocket folder design tips  that’s full of design ideas, sample layouts, imprint suggestions, paper stock recommendations, and more.

Or, give our customer service team a call at (800) 346-3063 or send us your ideas .

Whatever you envision, we can make it happen.

Let’s make your folders.

Releasing Windows 11, version 24H2 to the Release Preview Channel

• Windows Insider Program Team

UPDATE 5/29: We’re aware that some Windows Insiders in Release Preview are not seeing Windows 11, version 24H2 offered yet. We’ve just begun the rollout and will gradually increase the rollout over time so not everyone will see it right away. If you are not seeing it yet and want to update to Windows 11, version 24H2 right away, you can do so by using the ISO which are available for download here . The ISO is Build 26100.560 but once you update using the ISO and join Release Preview, you’ll get Build 26100.712.

Hello Windows Insiders!

Today, we are making this year’s annual feature update Windows 11, version 24H2 (Build 26100.712) available in the Release Preview Channel for customers to preview ahead of general availability later this calendar year.

Windows 11, version 24H2* includes a range of new features such as the HDR background support, energy saver, Sudo for Windows , Rust in the Windows kernel, support for Wi-Fi 7, voice clarity and more. It also includes many improvements across Windows. For example, we are introducing a scrollable view of the quick settings flyout from the taskbar, the ability to create 7-zip and TAR archives in File Explorer (in addition to ZIP), and improvements for connecting Bluetooth® Low Energy Audio devices. We will be sharing more details in the coming months on many of the new features and improvements included as part of Windows 11, version 24H2 leading up to general availability. Please note that the new AI features such as Recall announced earlier this week will not be available on your PC after installing this update today as they require a Copilot+ PC. For more information on those new AI features and Copilot+ PCs, see this blog post here .

As part of this update, we’re also evolving the Copilot** experience on Windows as an app that will be pinned to the taskbar. This enables users to get the benefits of a traditional app experience, including the ability to resize, move, and snap the window – feedback we’ve heard from users throughout the preview of Copilot in Windows. This model also allows Microsoft to more agilely develop and optimize the experience based on user feedback. This change will be making is way to Insiders in the Canary, Dev, and Beta Channels shortly.

Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel can install Windows 11, version 24H2 via our “seeker” experience in Windows Update. This means if you are an Insider currently in the Release Preview Channel on a PC that meets the Windows 11  hardware requirements , you can go to Settings and Windows Update and choose to download and install Windows 11, version 24H2 if you want. Once you update your PC to Windows 11, version 24H2, you will continue to automatically receive new servicing updates through Windows Update (the typical monthly update process). For instructions on how to join the Windows Insider Program and join your PC to the Release Preview Channel,  click here .

PLEASE NOTE: Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels will not be able to switch to the Release Preview Channel as they are on builds already based on Windows 11, version 24H2 but are on higher build numbers. These Insiders don’t need to switch. 

Commercial*** customers enrolled in the  Windows Insider Program for Business  can begin validating Windows 11, version 24H2 on PCs in their organizations. For these customers, the Windows 11, version 24H2 feature update is available through Windows Update for Business (WUfB) and Windows Server Update Service (WSUS). Azure Marketplace will be coming soon. You can learn more about deploying pre-release feature updates using  these deployment methods here . Should any issues arise, IT admins in organizations deploying Release Preview updates can request Microsoft Support .

And finally – ISOs are now available for download for Windows 11, version 24H2 via the Windows Insider ISO download page .

Thanks, Windows Insider Program Team

*Please note that Cortana, Tips, and WordPad are removed after upgrading to Windows 11, version 24H2. These apps are deprecated .

**Copilot in Windows is being rolled out gradually to Windows Insiders across our global markets. Customers in the European Economic Area will be able to download the Copilot in Windows experience as an app from the Microsoft Store (coming soon).

***We consider a device a commercial device if it is not running the Windows 11 Home edition AND is being managed by an IT administrator (whether via Microsoft Endpoint Manager or other management solution) or has a volume license key or commercial ID or is joined to a domain.

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